UV Resin for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide for Kids & Adults

We are thrilled to finally get to share our UV resin for beginners tutorial! UV resin is different (and easier) than traditional epoxy resin, making it perfect for kids and adults.

A four-panel collage shows glittery resin creations and supplies: top left displays ocean-animal shapes beside two black bottles labeled “UV Resin,” top right shows a small bear-shaped charm on a gold keychain held up by a hand, bottom left shows three chunky-glitter letters “S,” “K,” and “M” resting on a palm, and bottom right shows a close view of a multicolored seahorse charm with a googly eye. This image illustrates UV resin for beginners with finished pieces and materials.

The ultimate UV resin for beginners tutorial

When visiting the Busy Toddler family a couple of weeks ago, I brought a suitcase stuffed with crafts and activities to do with the kids.

One of the biggest hits? UV resin.

And not just a regular hit…I’m talking a smash hit!

This activity kept kids ages 5-12 (and 36 😂) engaged for 7 hours.

When we first started, we followed the directions in the package and the pieces we made were sticky, tacky, and just not as they should have been.

So, we experimented a lot (like, a lot a lot) and absolutely perfected the technique.

We perfected it so hard that we actually discovered TWO methods/techniques for flawless UV resin pieces.

And you can’t imagine how excited I am to share this with you.

A three-frame sequence shows demolding a red glitter letter “M”: first frame shows a finger pressing the silicone mold to release the edge, second frame shows the piece half-popped out with glitter catching the light, third frame shows the glossy finished “M” held between fingers with other resin pieces visible in the background. Step progression highlights UV resin for beginners techniques.

I took a UV resin for beginners back in April

First, a quick trip down memory lane from earlier this year.

The location: Ventura, CA

The event: Craftcation (a 5-day crafting conference and basically Heaven on Earth)

One of the classes I took while at Craftcation this year was a UV resin jewelry class. Back when I was in college, I got very into epoxy resin and LOVED the results, but did not love the method on making it (it involves precise measurements and the stakes feel very high).

So, when I saw UV resin offered as a class, it was an instant yes. Resin uncomplicated? Sign me up.

The class was dazzling. UV resin doesn’t involve measuring, mixing, and exact science like epoxy resin does. Rather, it’s simple enough for kids, but also satisfying and beautiful enough for adults to enjoy just as much.

It was such a joy that when I purchased craft items for my friends’ kids, this was at the top of the list.

A flat lay of supplies on a white surface: a white UV lamp with timer buttons and cord, large alphabet silicone mold, animal and small shape molds, two black bottles labeled “UV Resin,” a tray of twenty-four glitter colors, and small bags of gold key rings and jump rings; several finished sea-animal charms rest near the molds.

Materials

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A note about materials: Think of resin like making muffins. At the very least, you need mix and an oven. But, you could also add blueberries, or walnuts, or a strudel on top. You could also make them mini, regular, or jumbo! Maybe you bake yours in a pan, or in a tin, with a cupcake liner, or in shaped molds. The point: there are a few basics but endless add-ins and accessories.

⭐ Tip: Here is exactly what I brought to Susie’s: This UV resin kit, one pack of replacement bottles of resin, glitter, mini clay slices, marine animals, and keychains.

The required basics:

UV resin
UV lamp – if you have an at-home gel manicure set, that lamp should work, too!
Silicone molds – see the silicone mold section below
Something to cover your surface

⭐ Tip: You can buy replacement bottles of resin when you need more or if you have a UV manicure lamp at home.

Optional add-ins:

Glitter – each color comes in its own jar in this set (a 10/10 recommend)
Mini clay slices – this set comes with 10 themes and the kids LOVED them
Tiny rhinestones
Googly eyes
Fake sprinkles

Types of resin molds:

Marine animals
Keychains – this kit includes silver & gold keychain pieces
Uppercase letters
Groovy alphabet keychains
Earrings
Ornaments

Three images side by side: an adult squeezes resin into a silicone mold while small glitter jars are spread across the table, a UV lamp cures pieces on a mat with visible purple light, and a close view shows a dolphin and octopus resin charm filled with blue and green glitter, each with a small eye detail.

How to make UV resin for beginners

We have two easy methods to choose from!

I modeled the steps from beginning to end and the kids were pretty independent with remembering what order to go in afterward.

Note: I always use my resin kits outdoors or next to a large, open window with a lot of ventilation.

Method 1

Squeeze a thin base of resin into your mold.
Cure the base. We did the 150 second option under the lamp for small molds (like the ones shown here).
Add accessories. Top with add-ons (ex: glitter, clay slices, gems, googly eyes, etc.). Cover with more resin to fill (but not overfill) the mold. Cure again for 150 seconds.
Flip-and-cure (do not skip this step!). Keep the piece in the mold, flip the entire mold over, and cure from the back for 150 seconds.
Remove your resin piece from the mold. Pop your finished shape out and marvel at how gorgeous it us!

Method 2

Squeeze a thin base of resin into your mold and add accessories. Top with add-ons (ex: glitter, clay slices, gems, googly eyes, etc.).
Cure under UV lamp for 150 seconds.
Cover with resin to fill (but not overfill) the mold. Cure for 150 seconds.
Flip-and-cure (do not skip this step!). Keep the piece in the mold, flip the entire mold over, and cure from the back for 150 seconds.
Remove from mold. Pop your finished shape out and marvel at how gorgeous it us!

⭐ Note: Methods 1 and 2 take the same amount of time from beginning to end and spend the same amount of time under the UV light. The only differences are the order in which you cure and when add your mix-ins. Experiment with both methods!

Three vertical panels: left shows a silicone mold glowing purple under a UV lamp while heart and square cavities cure, center shows a hand holding a red heart charm and a multicolor square charm, right shows the same charms attached to gold and silver keychains held up by fingers. A clear example of curing and finishing in UV resin for beginners.

UV resin for beginners: Troubleshooting sticky pieces

When we first starting making our resin shapes with the kids, all of them came out sticky and tacky. We increased the curing time to no avail.

We tried 700 things and finally figured it out (and the trick wasn’t in the directions included in the kit).

The best way we found to prevent stickiness? Flipping the mold over when done and curing for 150 seconds.

A sticky surface usually means the layer was too thick or didn’t get enough light, and that bonus round under the lamp was the key for us.

If you’re still having stickiness issues, you could consider:

Getting a stronger lamp
Switching to thinner layers and extend cure time by 30–60 seconds per pass
Doing a short wipe with isopropyl alcohol and curing again

Overhead view of a craft table covered with brown paper, scattered small tubs and bags of glitter and FIMO slices, silicone molds with various shapes, a white UV lamp with a cord, and children’s hands working on a mold cavity filled with colorful glitter.

Safety and setup for success: UV resin for beginners

Ventilation: Dp this outside or near a large, open window.

Gloves: You should wear gloves when using UV resin.

Surface: Cover the workspace with a paper or mat for easy clean up. We used a piece of butcher paper to catch loose glitter and materials, and then when done, we folded the paper up and 95% of the mess went with it.